Arc Flash Risk Assessment: The Three Main Factors

An arc flash risk assessment is required by OSHA and the NFPA 70E to determine the risk level for all areas in which employees perform work. This helps save lives and money by minimizing the risk of injuries and lost time due to accidents and is essential to ensuring worker safety. There are three main factors in an arc flash risk assessment: risk identification, risk analysis, and risk evaluation.

Risk Identification

The first step to effectively managing the risks and hazards in a workplace is to properly identify them. Many factors are considered in identifying risks, including but not limited to tangible and intangible risk sources, vulnerabilities and capabilities, limitations of knowledge/reliability of information, indicators of emerging risks, and the biases, assumptions, and beliefs of those involved.

We then use a few different methods to identify all the hazards within the workplace. We use a structured technique and qualitative analysis to identify potential hazards, their causes, likelihood, potential severity, and consequences. We prioritize hazards based on the likelihood and severity of potential.

Risk Analysis

Once the risks have been identified, we then analyze the risk levels and prioritize actions. We must consider every detail, including hazards, likelihoods, events, consequences, the effectiveness of controls. Mapping the hazards based on the likelihood and probable severity of a potential incident allows us to determine the highest-level risks that must be addressed first.

Risk Evaluation

The final factor in an arc flash study is a comparison of the results of the risk analysis to established criteria for risk to ascertain what additional controls may be required, and where. A holistic view of potential incidents that examines their causes, preventative controls that are in place, mitigative controls that would be used if they occurred, and the consequences that follow makes it easier to visualize them and put the appropriate preventative and mitigative controls in place.

ESS Provides Arc Flash Risk Assessment To Protect Your Workers And Your Company

As part of a company’s safety protocols, an arc flash study provides insight into steps the employer must take to ensure that workers are protected. With the results of these studies, employers can follow the NFPA 70E steps to eliminate or substitute de-energization, use labeling to raise awareness, provide training, and select the proper equipment for the job.

ESS arc flash Engineering Technicians have extensive experience in commercial and industrial electrical installations and maintenance. They also have substantial training on the intricacies of the data collection process. Our studies use 100% verified information via boots-on-the-ground information gathering. Our processes are detailed and thorough, ensuring that the integrity of our studies is the best in the business!

For more information about nationwide arc flash risk assessment or training, call ESS at (816) 925-0443. To request a quote, click here.